Tammy Camp is a serial entrepreneur, company advisor, blogger and adventure traveler. Find her via @TammyCamp on Twitter.
Blackberry, the enterprise device, can do more for your business than just receive e-mails and make phone calls. The increasingly robust list of BlackBerry apps can significantly improve how small businesses operate, simultaneously boosting productivity and the bottom-line.
The trick isn’t so much finding BlackBerry apps for small businesses, but rather finding the best ones. Here are 10 of the best.
My favorite BlackBerry app, bar none, allows unlimited free worldwide text/image chatting with other BBM users. In a small business landscape that’s increasingly decentralized, BlackBerry Messenger allows you to keep up with your partners, connect with clients, organize tasks, and get work done.
Cost: Free
2. Evernote
Ever have that perfect product idea, or new marketing insight, but got stuck without a way to write it down or share it? Evernote helps bring some sense to your world, allowing you to make lists, take notes, share memos, tag pictures, and organize streams of information, all on the move with your BlackBerry. Go innovate with freedom.
Cost: Free
3. Google Sync
Google Calendar and Google Contacts are great ways to keep track of your business network and appointments. However, each application is only truly valuable when it is mobile and up-to-date. The Google Sync BlackBerry app syncs your calendar and contacts between your phone and computer, allowing you to add, modify, or delete items on either device, and access them on-the-go.
Cost: Free
4. WordPress
I’m of the opinion that every small business should have a blog that exhibits who its employees are, what they do, and shares their expertise for free. The BlackBerry WordPress app offers most of what you’d expect in the web version, allowing you to add posts, manage content, and moderate comments.
Cost: Free
5. Skype
Many small businesses, especially those that work internationally, use Skype for video and text communication. Skype is a free, effective, and enjoyable way to interact with partners and clients alike. The Skype BlackBerry app gives users much of the functionality of the desktop version, allowing them to make Skype-to-Skype calls, chat through a wireless connection, and access to their contact list.
The Skype BlackBerry app is available exclusively for Verizon phones. For non-Verizon BlackBerry users, check out iSkoot.
Cost: Free (plus Skype call rates, as applicable)
Google Mobile Apps for BlackBerry includes versions of Gmail, Calendar, Docs, Reader, and more. The apps allow you to receive, edit, and send e-mails and docs, catch up on your subscribed blogs, and make sure you don't miss any meetings.
Cost: Free
The Bridge BlackBerry app for Highrise by 37 Signals transfers your detailed business contacts, tasks, and e-mail info from desktop to mobile, and vice versa, ensuring you're never too far from what you need. The app is easy to install for existing Highrise subscribers, and offers full create, edit, and delete capabilities for all standard data.
Cost: Subscription plans, starting at $4.99 per month
8. Tungle.me
Tungle.me enhances your existing calender by syncing it with a public version where you can propose meetings to partners or clients and allow them to book the appointments at pre-approved times. Tungle.me's customized pages make calenders easy to find, and their BlackBerry app allows you to use most of the features from anywhere.
Cost: Free
Sometimes, phone calls bring good news to a small business. Other times, they’re unwanted distractions that interrupt your actual day-to-day operations. The Do Not Disturb BlackBerry app allows you to automatically filter your calls -- screening out some numbers while letting others through -- without turning off or silencing your phone.
Cost: $3.99
10. IM+
IM+ is an all-in-one instant messaging system that integrates AIM/iChat, MSN/Windows Live, Yahoo, ICQ, Jabber, Google Talk, MySpace, Skype and Facebook chats into one BlackBerry app. With this tool, you can keep up with business partners and stay connected with clients, no matter what system they use.
Cost: $39.99
Conclusion
There are many great BlackBerry apps for small business owners, allowing you to stay in touch, get things done, and move forward. These 10 must-haves serve as a great starting point. Do you use any that are not mentioned here? Leave them in the comments section below.
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More mobile resources from Mashable:
- 5 Must-Have Free Social Apps for BlackBerry
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